Q&A: Phoenix Coyotes Raffi Torres

by Jim Gintonio - Sept. 18, 2011 05:48 PMThe Arizona Republic

Raffi Torres, a former first-round draft pick of the New York Islanders (5th overall, 2000), signed with the Coyotes as a free agent in the off-season. The left wing played the 2010-11 season for the Vancouver Canucks, who made the Stanley Cup Finals.

Q: Moving on to a new team, your fifth in six seasons, is that a tough adjustment to make?

A: "At this point of my career, it's fairly easy. If anything, it keeps me on edge. You want to make a good first impression, you want to try and jell with your teammates, so for me it keeps me upbeat, keeps me focused."

Q: What did you like about this team that prompted you to sign?

A: I admired the veteran leadership they had here in Shane Doan and heard a lot of good things about Tip (coach Dave Tippett). I was just looking for a place, to get a couple extra years, just focus on playing hockey, not worry about a contract and that kind of stuff, finally got that and it just felt like a good place to be."

Q: Looking in from the outside, how surprised were you that Tippett's last two teams made the playoffs after that long drought here?

A: "Not surprised at all. I heard a lot of great things about Tip. We follow what he's trying to preach here, a solid defense coach, knows the game so well."

Q: A lot of players have said they would like to play for him . . .

A: "He's a player's coach, so a lot of guys love to play for him. I really wasn't too surprised to see the turnaround he made."